The Kuching garden in November'15

Pink to light purple bracts of the Congea velutina

Red relative of the Penda at the front
porch

 I feel very contented with the progress of the Kuching in November.  The curtain of pink to purple bracts of the Congea velutina provides a permanent wash of appealing pastel colours to the garden. Most plants have matured attaining heights that provide shade and home to the birds.  The latest regular visitor to the garden amazingly is the Pink-necked Green pigeon.  I saw a pair of them perching at the Poui tree (Tabebuia rosea) and then to the Eugenia oleina tree to collect the twigs from the latter for making its nest.  The front side garden is forever perfumed by the scented white flowers Great Frangipani (Plumeria obtusa).  The three Foxtail palm(Wodyetia bifurcata) have grown taller than me and begin to display its characteristic 'foxtail' fronds.

Scented white flowers of the Great Frangipani (Plumeria obtusa) at the front side garden

Foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) - with leaflets arranged in a spiral to resemble a soft brush or foxtail
Location : Back side garden

Pink-necked Green Pigeon at the Poui tree branch

Bulbuls are at home here

A pair of Yellow-vented Bulbul having rest on the Eugenia oleina branch

Yellow-vented Bulbul

 The Yellow-vented Bulbul is a resident of the garden .  A few species of birds have found the garden a comfortable place to build home.  Those happy to build homes here are the Chestnut Munia (Pipit), Spotted-necked Dove (Tekukur), Olive-backed Sunbird and the Yellow-vented Bulbul.  From early morning to sunset we will not fail to hear their various calls.  Wildlife is an essential element and litmus test for the Kambatik garden.

Leaves of the coconut, bamboo, durian, lumok and Eugenia oleina in a mixed planting plan at the back side garden.  The purple vine is Congea velutina.

Sample of Wildlife

Pictures show sample of wildlife (besides birds) on this 53rd trip to Kuching
Kambatik garden, Kuching.

A White-breasted Woodswallow came perching

The White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) was seen perching on an electric cable just next to the side front garden.  It did not notice me in the beginning as I was hidden amidst the canopy of trees down below.  Being inattentive to my presence I could arrange to get a closer shot of the bird.  I am always excited to see the white contrast of its breast against a grey body.  Another feature of the bird that attracts me is the light blue bill.  This bird normally shows itself in a pair or in a small group.  Today it came alone.

Birdwatching at the side garden

A small flock of Asian Glossy Starling perching on the Poui tree.

 Just this morning  I realise how many birds one can shoot just a step out into the garden.  Here is the list of common garden birds I saw this morning, two of which were seen busy building their nests, viz the Pipit ( Chestnut Munia) and the Tekukur (Spotted- necked Dove).  Both of them had their nest built in the bamboo thicket.  Then there was a small flock of Asian Glossy Starling seen roosting on the branches of the Poui tree (Tabebuia rosea).  Of exceptional beauty in contrast was the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker.  Its brilliant orange breast appears  striking against the green leaves.  In the line-up was the Pipit or Chestnut Munia, confidently building its nest by flying in and out of the bamboo thicket carrying dried specimens of leaves and grasses in its beak.  All in all, it was a fulfilling moment of birdwatching in the garden.

Tekukur - Spotted-necked Dove

Pipit (Chestnut Munia) bringing material for its nest

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker

Side garden showing the coconut leaves (bottom right), purple flowers of the woody vine Congea velutina (center) scrambling over the broad leaves of the Lumok tree ( Artocarpus odoratissimus)and bamboo clump (top left ) .

Side garden showing at the center , the tall branching  Poui tree (Tabebuia rosea)

Morning breakfast of fruits from the garden

Selection of fruits from the garden for breakfast.

Ripe Ciku fruit on a branch - Manilkara zapota

View of the sunset from the front garden

Views of the sunset from the front garden
3 June'15

Enjoying the garden with birds and wildlife

Tekukur bird (Spotted-necked Dove)  at the side garden
1 June'15

Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
2 June'15

 It is something priceless when you can reap beauty that does not belong to you.  The garden is well established now and the fun is just about to begin.  Its time to begin to enjoy the garden with birds and other wildlife.   The joy of having the garden visited by these beautiful creatures is unspoken happiness.  The morning air today was filled with the twitter and calls of the Orange-bellied flowerpecker, Spotted-necked dove and Magpie-robin.  Closer to ground there were butterflies and dragonflies.  I noticed one dragonfly was resting on the Cape gooseberry plant (Physalis peruviana) belonging to the Tomato family, that has been growing luxuriously on this 53rd trip to Kuching.  I guess I'll have the gooseberry fruits for lunch later.

Lime Butterfly

Dragonfly

Dragonfly at the Cape gooseberry plant

The Cape gooseberry plant growing luxuriously

Ripe fruits will turn orangish yellow.

A uniquely Kuching bird

Long-tailed Shrike at the Kambatik garden, Kuching.

Garden colours

 There's lots of excitement at the garden right now.  One bird that's uniquely Kuching has been hanging around the garden since we have been here about a fortnight ago.  The Long-tailed Shrike not only perches on the branches of the 'Kedondong' tree but often times seen resting on the Tabebuia rosea branches.  The garden is a pleasure to be immersed in.  The greenery is superb and is brightened by flowers and colourful foliages.  The presence of the Long-tailed Shrike has added a new list to the garden birds around our home in Kuching.  This adds another feather to the Kambatik's  cap.

'Kedondong' fruits (Spondias dulcis)

View of trees at the side garden - in the line-up are mango tree (left), Eugenia oleina with yellow- orange flushes, Tabebuia rosea tree (tallest tree ni the picture and the Pinang palm or Betel palm (Areca catechu ) on the righ, partly shown is the palm fronds.
4 April'15

Brown-throated Sunbird at the Blood Banana

Brown-throated Sunbird at the Blood Banana inflorescence

Terminal inflorescence of the Blood Banana

Flowers after the rain

Plumeria acuminata

Bignonia magnifica

 The weather is Kuching on this visit has been rainy for most of the time.  It rains in the day as well as at night, though not as heavy as during the end of year monsoon rains.  As a result working in the garden tends to be cooler though the grounds are kept wet or damp most of the time in March.  There are many varieties of flowers that are featuring themselves now of which a few have been covered in the last posting.  To continue the series of flowering plants at the garden this month of March are the following.  Enjoy their beauty!

Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum

Ixora coccinea

There's life at the front door

 The yellow bamboo clump at the front garden has grown tall and dense.  Among its stems and leaves a pair of nesting Chestnut Munia is seen busy flying in and out of their sanctuary.  I was able  to get a closer look of the birds this morning.  It is no wonder why people call it the Chestnut Munia.  The hood is black but the body is a rich chestnut brown colour.  The bill is bluish grey and stands in stark contrast to its black face.  Their presence at the front garden makes nature a step closer to the front door.

Chestnut Munia (Pipit Rawa- Malay)
Lonchura atricapilla

Colourful flowers amidst the greenery

At the center is seen the white flower of the Plumeria obtusa, amidst other flowering shrubs and fruiting tree species.
Location : Side garden, middle section

Red Hibiscus or 'Bunga Raya' - Malaysia's national flower
Location : Back garden

Plumeria obtusa

White flowers of the Common Spider Lily - Hymennocallis speciosa

Pastel light orange colour of the Ixora coccinea

Purple petallike bracts of the Congea velutina